posted 03-30-2003 07:55 PM ET (US)            

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Lacking any markings on the propeller, probably the only way to deduce its pitch would be to take it to a propeller shop. They typically have "pitch blocks" that can be fitted to discover the pitch.

My guess would be that it is at least a 19-inch pitch. You can use the propeller calculator to make a more educated guess, but you must provide the lower unit gear ratio.

Enter the RPM, gear ratio, and Speed. Estimate the slip at about 10-percent, and the calculator will compute the pitch.

It is a very handy device!

See: http://continuouswave.com/cgi-bin/propcalc.pl

Information about your lower unit gear ratio will be found in your owner's manual. Also check there for the maximum rated crankcase speed (RPM).

And you might also find information on the propeller if it is the OEM propeller.

posted 04-01-2003 10:07 AM ET (US)            

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Calm down everyone!

Take it to a mechanic & stop reving it in neutral(unless you want to blow it up). Have it looked at and then go from there. Your tach may not work right either but I am thinking more like you are only getting 3.5 cyls. Maybe a carb is gummed, that boat has been sitting a while. Have it looked at, they can tell everything from hooking it to a laptop.

posted 04-01-2003 02:33 PM ET (US)            

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Idea!

Check to see that your plug wires are not crossed. When you did a compression test you may have put #2 wire on #3, etc. It will still run but not right.

posted 04-02-2003 11:49 AM ET (US)            

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Please Big...Don't take this as anything but information, but suffice it to say that i have enough mechanical knowledge to avoid "blowing up" my engine.
I've owned several 2 stroke engines in the past and have done pretty major service (short of overhauls) on them myself. I always take a conservative approach when troubleshooting an engine problem.
If my prior posts mislead anyone to think that I am a newbie to engines or outboards I apologize. I am just dealing with issues that I have not had to deal with in boats I've owned previously and I want to provide any info I can to those who might be helpful.
BTW..I don't throttle my engine in neutral, it just happened during the sea trial with the seller. I explained to him that it was a bad idea.

I spoke with a local honda tech today and really got no new info other than "it could be a number of things". I understand that it would just be easier to drop it off to him and let him start the billing clock but I want to eliminate as many possibilities as I can and be fully educated on what the motor is doing (or not doing) before I have it serviced since the motor is new to me. The tech did say to go ahead and drop down to a smaller prop to see if I can get RPMs, so that will be my final test.
I have no experience with this local technician and I have heard or read about too many horror stories regarding marine mechanics to just drop it off blind.
I will go ahead and try a 13" pitch prop because I want to see if the engine misbehaves in its WOT operating range. If it looks like the engine is not under enough load and the prop is just slipping, I will not push it. This test , I believe, will be additional useful information for the shop when I bring it in.
Thanks again everyone for your comments/feedback.

posted 04-02-2003 02:21 PM ET (US)            

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Then you should know that if you have a lean carb or timing that is wrong, you WILL do damage....more so on a 2 stroke. The neutral thing threw me off, especially since you mentioned it twice....sorry.

Try this and forget the 13" prop. Put the 17" back on and remove the air box in front of the carbs. Get a spraybottle and fill with gas. get the boat running WOT(while somebody is driving) and spray in each carb throat(1 at a time). If it bogs down, carb is OK. If it picks up, carb is lean. try running a tank of Techron or Berryman's B-12 through it after you test it. Take it easy on it while you run the 6 gal tank with premium and techron in it(use the whole jar). It should clean out the carbs. The old gas might be an issue as well. Before I did anything I would get a 6 gal tank and do as above with the spraybottle.

Let us know what gives.

posted 04-02-2003 03:05 PM ET (US)            

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Guess I should look at a Honda before I open my mouth.....was a great idea though.

If removing the carb cover is not possible then try spraying some gas into the intake and see if she picks up speed. It won't isolate what carb but may give you an idea you are running too lean etc. Try the techron in the 6 gallon tank though. Run it for about 1/2 hour on the muffs and shut it down and let it sit overnight. The techron in the carbs should loosen overnight and then hopefully running it through the next day will clean them up. if not.....take it to a dealer and let them run diagnostics. They can determine how each cyl is firing, etc and may be able to pinpoint it fairly quickly. Diagnostic time should not take more than $100 in labor. In FL if they go over $100 without telling you, you don't have to pay.